I already knew it was close to noon, but I stretched slowly anyway, taking my time before getting dressed. Nobody was waiting for me downstairs. Nobody expected me at breakfast.

My stomach growled hard enough to make me laugh under my breath.

For the first time in days, I'd actually slept. No restless dreams. No Vaelor invading my head every five seconds. Just silence. Real sleep.

I pulled on a short sleeve shirt and knee length shorts, then hurried toward the kitchen for my usual overdose of caffeine.

One look at the fridge changed that plan.

Apparently coffee wasn't going to save me today.

Still laughing to myself, I built the biggest sandwich possible with whatever I found inside the refrigerator, then poured black coffee into a mug. If I was going to survive another day in wolf territory, I needed fuel.

And purpose.

I was done hiding in that room.

Alina had given me her keys days ago. Her house. Her veterinary clinic. I'd avoided going there because it felt too personal, too much like invading her space. But I missed working. Missed feeling useful. Missed being needed for something other than driving an Alpha insane.

By the time I reached the middle of the road leading to Alina's clinic, a low growl stopped me cold.

I turned slowly.

A massive white wolf stood several feet away.

Watching me.

My pulse kicked hard.

Vaelor's warning flashed through my head instantly.

Be careful who you touch.

Apparently every animal around this place could turn into a naked man.

"Hey…" I smiled carefully, trying not to look threatening.

The wolf kept growling.

Not playful. Not curious.

Angry.

That part surprised me.

I'd spent a week in this town already. Nobody had treated me badly. If anything, the wolves had been strangely welcoming. Alina had told me her people protected guests.

This wolf looked ready to tear my throat out.

I swallowed hard.

Don't show fear.

Right. Easy advice.

The problem was the closer he got, the harder my body ignored my brain.

His teeth looked sharp enough to split bone.

I had courage when I worked. I'd handled injured dogs, feral animals, terrified rescue cases.

Usually with a sedative in my hand.

This was different.

"Okay," I said, straightening my spine. "If you think you're scaring me with this attitude, you're wasting your time."

Lie.

Complete lie.

Still, backing away felt worse.

"I'm Vaelor Thorne's guest," I continued firmly. "I'm under his protection."

Big mistake.

The wolf's growl deepened instantly.

Its lips peeled back from massive white fangs.

"Oh, great."

Without warning, the wolf lunged.

I gasped and stumbled backward automatically.

Running was impossible.

Turning my back was worse.

The distance between us vanished fast.

Too fast.

And in that moment, one thing became painfully clear.

Fight or die.

Probably in that order.